Continued from page 1
How do you approach business?
Go to Better Whois, at http://www.betterwhois.com/ and get business owner's contact details.
Now you're going to fax, mail or email a message.
Let's say you've decided to email manager of business. Your message's Subject line could be: "Proposal ---Web site proofing".
Because of all spam on Internet, you're going to make it clear that although this is unsolicited, it's a normal business communication, not a message that you're firing out at random to a thousand businesses on Web.
Construct message as you would a postal letter, with name of owner or manager, business name, and date on first few lines.
Next comes salutation: "Dear Mr Smith".
Introduce yourself immediately.
"My name is John Brown. I'm an independent writer. I visited your Web site at _________."
At this point, make some kind and generous comments about site, to that show that you've actually visited it. Say anything you like here, as long as it's a compliment.
Then describe problem --- mention typos, in other words. DON'T be explicit. Don't mention where typos are. (You're looking for work, remember.)
Outline solution: you can proof site content.
Tell Mr Brown why you're person to handle proofing.
Tell Mr Brown how to contact you.
Close message in usual way.
Add all your contact details: phone, fax, and address.
By addressing your email message clearly, and putting in all your contact details, you've established that you're not a spam artist. You're a business person sending a proposal.
Great! You've written your first proposal. Now go and write another one. And another one after that.
Proposals are great fun to write, and no matter what kind of work you're after, they will get you more work than you can handle.
***Resource box: if using, please include***
==> WRITERS! <==
Discover how to transform your talent into a flourishing business. Subscribe to Creative Small Biz, free weekly ezine. Sub at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Creative_Small_Biz/
Or Visit: http://www.digital-e.biz/
Australian author, journalist and copywriter Angela Booth has been writing professionally for over twenty years. She writes business books and copy for businesses.